Software training method and apparatus

Abstract

A software training approach utilizes customized training activities to provide effective customized learning operations for users. Through an association of the user identifier, such as a login, an application determines when an activity occurs requiring training. Based on the user identifier, a customized training activities are retrieved and executed providing a software training based on the specific user in immediate proximity to the actual operation of the computing activity being the subject of the training operations.

1. A software training method for customized activities using an application software program, the customized activities requiring multiple commands be entered by a user of the application program, the method comprising:
 monitoring commands the user enters while using the application software program; 
 determining whether the user needs training for one of the customized activities based at least on an entered command by the user, a role of the user in a company, and historical data stored for the user for the customized activities, wherein the role of the user defines which customized activities the user needs to perform for the company, and wherein the training for the customized activities includes training created for and specific to the company; 
 if the user needs training, retrieving at least one training object based at least on the user role and the customized activity, and 
 executing the training object to present the training session for the customized activity to the user, wherein the customized activity includes a series of commands not defined by the application software program and the entered command. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 accessing the training database using the user identification to retrieve the training object based on the user identification. 
 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the user identification includes a user skill level identifier. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 2  wherein the user identification includes a user usage-type identifier. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of executing the training object further includes:
 reading a learning map in the training object; 
 performing the operations of one or more worksets including providing one or more output signals to one or more output devices; and 
 receiving user input from at least one input device in response to the one or more output signals. 
 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of electronically detecting when the training session may be utilized includes:
 monitoring the user activity; 
 comparing the user activity with a master list of activities; and 
 determining if the training object is appropriate based on the master list. 
 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the training objects includes one or more knowledge transfer modules having one or more knowledge transfer objects having one or more knowledge transfer assets. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 displaying the training object; and 
 receiving a user input selecting at least one of: a knowledge transfer module, a knowledge object and a knowledge transfer asset. 
 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 prior to executing the training object, executing a self-test operation; and 
 determining whether to execute the training object based on the self-test operation. 
 
   
   
     10. A software training apparatus for customized activities using an application software program, the customized activities requiring multiple commands be entered by a user of the application program, the method comprising:
 a memory device having executable instructions stored therein; 
 a training database having training objects stored therein; and 
 a processing device in operative communication with the memory device and the training database such that the processing device is operative to, in response to the executable instructions:
 monitoring commands the user enters while using the application software program; 
 whether the user needs training for one of the customized activities based at least on an entered command by the user, a role of the user in a company, and historical data stored for the user for the customized activities, wherein the role of the user defines which customized activities the user needs to perform for the company, and wherein the training for the customized activities includes training created for and specific to the company; 
 if the user needs training, retrieve the training object based at least on the user role and the customized activity, and 
 executing the training object to present the training session for the customized activity to the user, wherein the customized activity includes a series of commands not defined by the application software program and the entered command. 
 
 
   
   
     11. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the processing device is further operative to:
 retrieve the training object based on a user identification. 
 
   
   
     12. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the user identification includes a user usage-type identifier. 
   
   
     13. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the user identification includes a user skill level identifier. 
   
   
     14. The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising:
 at least one output device; 
 at least one input device; and 
 the processing device is further operative to, in response to the executable instruction:
 read a learning map in the training object; 
 perform the operations of one or more worksets including providing one or more output signals to the at least one output device; and 
 receive user input from the at least one input device in response to the one or more output signals. 
 
 
   
   
     15. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the processing device, when executing the step of electronically detecting when a training session may be utilized, further:
 monitors the user activity; 
 compares the user activity with a master list of activities; and 
 determines if the training object is appropriate based on the master list. 
 
   
   
     16. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the training objects includes one or more knowledge transfer modules having one or more knowledge transfer objects having one or more knowledge transfer assets. 
   
   
     17. The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the processing device is further operative to, in response to the executable instruction:
 display the training object; and 
 receive a user input selecting at least one of: a knowledge transfer module, a knowledge 
 object and a knowledge transfer asset. 
 
   
   
     18. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the processing device is further operative to, in response to the executable instruction:
 prior to executing the training object, execute a self test operation; and 
 determine whether to execute the training object based on the self test. 
 
   
   
     19. A software training method for customized activities using an application software program, the customized activities requiring multiple commands be entered by a user of the application program, the method comprising:
 monitoring commands the user enters while using the application software program; 
 determining whether the user needs training for one of the customized activities based at least on an entered command by the user, a role of the user in a company, and historical data stored for the user for the customized activities, wherein the role of the user defines which customized activities the user needs to perform for the company, and wherein the training for the customized activities includes training created for and specific to the company; 
 if the user needs training, retrieving at least one training object based at least on the user role and the customized activity, and 
 executing the training object to present the training session for the customized activity to the user, wherein the customized activity includes a series of commands not defined by the application software program and the entered command. 
 
   
   
     20. The method of  claim 19  wherein the training objects includes one or more knowledge transfer modules having one or more knowledge transfer objects having one or more knowledge transfer assets, the method further comprising:
 displaying the training object; and 
 receiving a user input selecting at least one of: a knowledge transfer module, a knowledge object and a knowledge transfer asset. 
 
   
   
     21. The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 prior to executing the training object, executing a self test operation; and 
 determining whether to execute the training object based on the self test.